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Regionally renowned sports and recreation programs announce partnership for the fundraising event Sunrise Ascent of Mt Washington. New England Disabled Sports (Lincoln, NH) joins withAdaptive Sports Partners of the North Country (Franconia, NH) for the 6th annual ascent on August 2nd, 2015.

This unique event partners athletes with disabilities with teams of volunteers, or “mules” to assist with the 6288 foot elevation summit attempt up the Mt Washington Auto Road.

“We hope this event spreads awareness of the opportunities that people with disabilities have with sports and recreation,” remarked New England Disabled Sports Executive Director, Ralph Nelson. He continues “We also hope to showcase the determination and dedication of our athletes and volunteers.”

Now that the 2014-2015 ski season has come to an end, we want to thank each of you as well as our NEDS family (and especially Hans) for making this another great year for Betsy.

It’s difficult to really express what adaptive skiing means to Betsy and Sue and I. There is no other activity that has as positive an impact on her physical health as our ski program. Low muscle tone is one of the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) but thru skiing, and particularly use of NEDS adaptive equipment, we continue to see real advances with each year.

It’s also hard to describe the absolute joy she experiences flying down the mountain as well as her personal sense of accomplishment. We doubt there are many students who love skiing as much as she does!

Again, as all of you know, her disability has some unique and, at times, very difficult challenges. More than anything else we want to thank the entire staff for the kindness and patience you have always shown her (and us!). Betsy is not always easy but in the end we know that everything we all do for her is worth it.

We would also like to thank the NEDS Board for their generosity this season in awarding Betsy a partial scholarship. Very, very much appreciated!

I wanted to say thank you very much: your extra attention to detail, your ability to get the most out of your volunteers, your guidance to inspire me to further my professional standing, your happy upbeat personality, your willingness to share your extensive ski teaching knowledge; made this year for me the most memorable and wonderful late fall, winter, and early spring ever for me!

Your friendly, professional approach to each and every situation is simply perfect!!!

Not only did these qualities benefit me, they where recognized by the clients, volunteers and the general staff at the mountain.

You really are an asset to this organization.

I also what to thank you Ryan. My great experience would not have happened without all your extra hard work and dedication.

Ryan, you and Nicole have brought accountability to the NEDS program. You both should be extremely proud of what you have accomplished in such a short time.

I have over forty years of experience in running (and teaching) recreational swim programs and it has been a privilege working for you both. My training in this field was through nationally recognized pioneers in the field of aquatics and camp management (including the Boy Scouts of America).

YOU BOTH HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB!!!

I wish to return to Bretton woods next year…Body willing.

And, yes to helping out with the summer programs, but you got to get dates etc. so that my planned canoe trip will fit in.

We are very happy to announce that our NEDS education continues again this year with some big milestones attained by several NEDS volunteer coaches. Please join us in congratulating the following people for their outstanding accomplishments:

Each year NEDS continues to grow their pool of certified coaches which furthers the education and knowledge brought to lessons at NEDS every day. We thank our coaches for their commitment and desire to improve their skill sets which make New England Disabled Sports one of the premier adaptive sports programs in the country.

Note to Coaches: If anyone took other parts of exams or educational certifications that the office has not acknowledged, please let us know. Congratulations to you as well!

LINCOLN, NH, July 11, 2014 — Ryan Latham has been named Sports Programming Director at New England Disabled Sports (NEDS), headquartered for more than 25 years at the Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH.

Latham brings over nine years of professional leadership experience in adaptive sports to NEDS. He is a graduate of the prestigious Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, having served BOEC for five years, first as an intern, and later joining the professional staff. Latham has relocated to New Hampshire from Snowmass Village, Colorado, where he most recently served four years as the Adaptive Sports Manager for Challenge Aspen, affiliated with the Aspen Skiing Company. In addition to full-time positions in Aspen and Breckenridge, he served as lead instructor for the Sundance Film Festival official selection documentary “The Movement” featuring Warren Miller and Robert Redford, and has been a professional whitewater rafting guide throughout the United States. Continue reading →